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| June Lockhart (and Molly) 16th June 1949 - 1st May 2022 |
RLCGA Past Captain and West Vets Past Captain -- June Lockhart (nee Smollett) who was well known to so many in the West of Scotland golfing circles and beyond.-- died on Sunday 1st May and the very large funeral took place yesterday 18th May 2022 with many of her friends including Liz Munro (President of Scottish Golf). Thanks go to one of June's close friends - Liz Mavern (Ladies' Captain at Ralston) who passed me on some of the earlier information.
If you were unable to attend you can listen to the Live Stream Video of the Service by CLICKING HERE
In addition - here is my golfing tribute to June as a very good friend and Past Webmaster of RLCGA and West Vets with photos and Video links at the end.
TRIBUTE - GOLF, HOCKEY SINGING AND AFTER DINNER SPEAKER
June was born on the 16th June 1949 in Aberdeen, the only child of Constance and Robert Smollett, she was also brought up with her Gran and Uncle Billy. June’s Mum taught her to work hard and ensured she took up a musical instrument. Her Dad would have preferred a boy so she was dragged along to football matches, hence her devotion to the “Dons” and her love of most sports.
She loved school and went to Aberdeen Academy, playing in about every girls’ team and becoming Head Girl in 1967. It was there that she formed a strong friendship with Jennifer Thompson which lasted 57 years. Her friendship with PE Teachers Morag Clapperton and Sheona Duncan have almost lasted as long. She went on to Graduate MA Hons in Geography from Aberdeen University.
Whilst at Uni June played Hockey for Scottish and British Universities several times, captaining both. She played for North District and captained there as well. She also played in the first ever under 23 Scottish team which beat the England team 2-1 at Hove (scoring one of the goals). Although she also captained Scottish Reserves, she ‘only’ played for the full team on 4 occasions…. Probably as her good friend Anne Wilson said “she could probably run faster backwards!”. In later years June was a Team Selector for West District and Scotland.
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| Photo - Courtesy of Helen Faulds |
When she moved to Glasgow she then joined Western Ladies and then Hillhead Hockey Club and played with eg - Helen Faulds, Pat Syme, Dorothy Gilmour, Moyra Withycombe, Lynn Mitchell, Lynn Forsyth and Sheila Moodie
June started teaching at Camphill High (later to become Gleniffer High) in Paisley in 1972 until she retired from full time teaching partially after illness in 2002
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| The Lockharts - Sheona, Gordon, Iain and June |
In 1975 June met Iain Lockhart and they were married in 1977 at Aberdeen University They had 2 children Gordon and Sheona and lived in the West end of Glasgow. Tragedy struck in 2011 when Sheona who had been fighting an illness for many years died at the age of 24.
Her attentions changed from playing hockey to playing Golf where she became member of Clydebank and District where she became Ladies Captain and then moved onto Gleddoch Golf Club where she became Club Champion in 2012 and also Lady Captain twice.
After Sheona’s death she then joined Douglas Park Golf Club and made many new friendships. She was a fantastic West of Scotland Greenlees Trophy Team member and gained valuable points for Douglas Park winning many of her matches on the 18th green. She also won numerous medals and was Runner Up in the Ladies’ Senior Championship in 2020.
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| Belle Robertson, Pamela Feggans, JuneLockhart and Anne Wilson |
In 2009 she played in a Pro Am at Archerfield and - The longest drive was an accumulative prize won by Belle Robertson, Anne Wilson and June who were accompanied by team professional Pamela Feggans who contributed a massive 312 yards with her drive !
She joined Renfrewshire Ladies’ County Golf Association in 2006 and was soon a winner of the Winter Foursomes in 2007 with Gleddoch member Roisin Black She won medals and tri ams on many occasions and was twice a winner of the County Autumn Greensomes with her good pal Shirley Back. She became Caddy Mistress in 2013 for the Inter County matches.
In her 50’s June became a member of the West Vets an association of the Scottish Veterans Ladies’ Golf Association - In 2016 after having to go through a “ Big Op” she became the West Vets Captain and had a very successful 2 years of captaincy.
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| RLCGA 2018 County Team Runners Up |
In 2017 in her 2nd year of West Vets Captaincy she also became Renfrewshire Ladies’ County Captain and took the team through to the Scottish County Team finals played over Kilmacolm in 2018. Renfrewshire just missed out being Champions to Aberdeenshire by an agonising half a point on count back. Despite the disappointment, the team took defeat with very good grace and indeed showed their appreciation of an Aberdeenshire team which hadn't won the title for 34 years. June maintained a great friendship since then with Ann Smart the then winning Aberdeenshire Captain and at the 110th RLCGA anniversary dinner in 2019 June said in her speech “ It is not the winning or the losing its the friends you meet along the way”
In 2021 she played in the West of Scotland Championship at Cochrane Castle and altho’ a scratch competition - June was Runner up in the handicap prize beaten by the better inward half by Lanarkshire’s Jodie Graham from Hamilton who had a very successful day finishing her round with an eagle 2 at the 18th hole ! June was not disappointed in not winning the trophy and laughed when she worked out she was 57 years older than the youngster who just before June’s death had become the 2022 Lanarkshire County Champion
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| June has her 3rd Hole in One at Troon |
At the Renfrewshire’s County Beetle Drive Fundraiser in February 2018 , Gleddoch pair Isabell Donnelly and Shirley Back outbid others for a round for 3 with RLCGA President Jennifer Mack at Troon Portland and June was invited to make up the 3rd player.
The ‘oldies’ played the ‘youngsters’ (no names need to be mentioned !) and a very competitive match ended all square, where Captain June made her first contribution at the par 3 4th with a hole-in-one !
As they were the only customers upstairs all day, it was not an expensive celebration – a typical Aberdonian. - This was June’s 3rd Hole in One.
In no way was June mean — Her generosity was huge as was Iain’s and at any fundraising events for the County this was clearly seen by many donations of rounds of golf on eg Gleddoch, Douglas Park and Glasgow Gailes where bids could be made for four balls and this would help fund the players.
Her after dinner speaking skills and raising of money was fantastic.
She helped organise and then chaired numerous Jean Armour Nights at Gleddoch House Hotel and Hillhead Sports Clubs with a full house on each occasion (Click on Venue Links).
They were thoroughly enjoyed by large audiences which included many of her golfing friends. She had notable speakers such as Baroness Helen Liddell, Baroness Annabel Goldie MSP and Ruth Wishart with Douglas Park’s Helen Faulds and song writer Moira Kerr from Cowglen . These evenings raised many thousands of pounds for Maggies and the Beatson Cancer Charity.
Her way with words was outstanding and she was invited to many golf clubs as being the main speaker — In fact when she gave a toast to the laddies at Douglas Park’s Burns Night we all remember her performance that evening as one of the best.
June sang alto for many years in The Glasgow Singers Company founded and conducted by Graham Dickie, with performances at The SECC and The Conservatoire.
She was also part of a group of backing singers on the recording of Moira Kerr’s song "Sula Bassana" when she led the altos.
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| Some of the DP Abba Group - -- Avril Berry, June Lockhart, Helen Faulds Olive Mackay Front : Chris Dingwall |
Moira then asked June if she would come and bolster the altos in her choir at Cowglen G C, which of course, being June, she agreed to, but unfortunately, was unable to continue.
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| June and Bernie Mitchell (Husband of the the Late Lynn Mitchell) |
There are so many more stories that can be told and can be summed up by many of the kind words that have been sent in - Bernie Mitchell husband of the late Lynn Mitchell said - "June just got on with it and committed herself to many causes, charitable, sporting and all associated administrative chores. The words, unique and legend, have become all too debased with frequent and inappropriate usage. In the case, however, of our dearest friend, June, they are truly relevant"
REPORTS, PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEOS WITH A GOOD HOCKEY STORY
CLICK HERE FOR MANY JUNE PHOTOS
SOME HOCKEY PHOTOGRAPHS AND PAPER CUTTINGS (MORE PHOTOS TO BE ADDED SOON)
WEST VETS 50th AGM - Report and Photos
110th RLCGA ANNIVERSARY DINNER Report and Videos
RLCGA 110TH ANNIVERSAY DINNER WITH MORAG CLAPPERTON AND ANN SMART (VERY FUNNY HOCKEY STORY)
SOME TRIBUTES
Morag Clapperton (Aberdeenshire Past Captain)
What a sad day for us all but so much for us all to remember. She was one of the best pupils I ever taught and one of the best hockey players I ever played with, but most of all she was the best and most loyal friend anyone could ever ask for!
Simply the best!!
Gillian Kyle (Past Captain RLCGA)
It's all just SO sad, especially when June was such a lovely, good-living person.
I would like to say what a wonderful, supportive VC June was to me. I really had to twist her arm to take on the role but I persisted as she was such a popular member of the "RLCGA family." She'd been unwell already that year but I promised to look after her & reassured her that we'd make a good team-which we did by winning the County Finals at Glenbervie. She kept meticulous notes as she always wanted to do the right thing for the County & the team.
She will be sadly missed for her kindness, thoughtfulness & quick wit.
Sandra MacDougall (West Vets and RLCGA)
It is so sad, Carol - I really can’t believe how quickly it has all happened.
My regular joke with June was to remind her when Mo Neilson and I played against her in the 4s - she couldn’t understand how we had a combined handicap of 12.25 - until we told her it was out tee time - it always made her laugh.
Donna Jackson (Captain RLCGA)
June was one of the nicest people I have met and became friends with through playing golf. I will miss the fun and the wicked sense of humour, and the odd swear word that would slip out when she was caddying for you in the county matches. RIP my friend
Ann Smart (Past Captain Aberdeenshire County)
I first met june at the County Finals in 2018 as a fellow captain. We became really good friends. An absolute gem of a lady who never once complained. Didn’t know you long enough June.Now and then someone comes into your life something just clicks, everything's right
Laughter, fun and compassion ensue you just know that this person's a good fit for you
And when you needed her, she was right there to give you advice, which she handled with care
And you would be there anytime that she asked to help with a noble or trivial task
She has a few nicknames, Joony Poony and Quine and Svetlanna is really a favourite of mine
On her piano, I'll hae a wee tune but I've a long way to go till I play it like June
Her face was fair, her words were kind and a truer friend you'll never find
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With the skirl of the pipes And the swirl of her kilt She went on her way With her hat at a tilt ! |